Grass Valley man arrested in suspected burglary, arson

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A Grass Valley man narrowly avoided being shot by a Nevada County Sheriff’s deputy Thursday morning after he allegedly was caught inside a business with a large knife and refused to comply with the deputy’s orders.

Jamie Lee Holman, 28, was arrested after the deputy chose instead to holster his gun and tackle him, said Capt. Jeff Powell.

He was booked into county jail on suspicion of grand theft and arson.

The deputy had responded to an alarm call in a small business complex in the 10000 block of Combie Road at 12:40 a.m., according to dispatch reports. The building houses an insurance company and a real estate business, Powell said.

When the deputy arrived, he “blacked out” his lights and saw a person standing in the window, inside the building, Powell said. The deputy ordered the man to come out, but instead, he allegedly ducked down to hide.

The deputy walked up to the building and twice more ordered the man to come out, but the suspect allegedly ran toward the back of the building, although there was no back exit.

As the deputy entered the building, he saw the man walking toward him and ordered him twice to stop and get down at gunpoint, Powell said. But again the man refused to comply.

“He saw a large knife hanging from his belt,” Powell said.

“But the deputy is a big guy, and he felt he could take him into custody.”

The deputy holstered his weapon, physically put the man on the ground and handcuffed him, Powell said.

Because he was the only deputy on the scene at the time, he removed the man’s knife and threw it aside, Powell added.